Billy Coutu began his ten-year NHL career in 1917-18 with the advent of the new league, playing for the Montreal Canadiens. That year Coutu scored two goals in 19 games. He played another two years in Montreal, patrolling the defense while contributing five goals and six points in 32 games. In 1919, the Stanley Cup finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle was cancelled due to a major outbreak of influenza in Canada and the northern U.S.

In 1920-21, Coutu headed west to join the Hamilton Tigers. In 24 games, he scored eight goals and four assists while picking up 74 minutes in penalties. Despite that successful individual season, Coutu returned to the Montreal Canadiens the following year, playing in 23 games and scoring four goals and seven points.

Coutu remained in Montreal for five seasons during his second tour of duty with the club, scoring a total of 17 goals and 29 points. His final year was in 1926-27, when he played in 41 games for the Boston Bruins, scoring two points.

He continued to play professional hockey for four more years with the New Haven Eagles and the Newark Bulldogs of the CAHL and the Minneapolis Millers of the AHA, retiring in 1931 at the age of 39.

REGULAR SEASON

PLAYOFFS

Season

Club

League

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

+/-

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

1915-16

Michigan Soo Indians

NMHL

1916-17

Montreal Canadiens

NHA

18

0

0

0

9

2

0

0

0

8

1916-17

Montreal Canadiens

St-Cup

4

0

0

0

38

1917-18

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

20

2

2

4

49

2

0

0

0

3

1918-19

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

15

1

2

3

18

5

0

1

1

8

1918-19

Montreal Canadiens

St-Cup

5

0

1

1

0

1919-20

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

20

4

0

4

67

1920-21

Hamilton Tigers

NHL

24

8

4

12

95

1921-22

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

24

4

3

7

8

1922-23

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

24

5

2

7

37

1

0

0

0

22

1923-24

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

16

3

1

4

18

2

0

0

0

0

1923-24

Montreal Canadiens

St-Cup

4

0

0

0

0

1924-25

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

28

3

2

5

56

2

0

0

0

2

1924-25

Montreal Canadiens

St-Cup

4

1

0

1

12

1925-26

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

33

2

4

6

95

1926-27

Boston Bruins

NHL

40

1

1

2

35

7

1

0

1

4

1927-28

New Haven Eagles

Can-Am

37

11

1

12

108

1928-29

Newark Bulldogs

Can-Am

40

0

1

1

42

1929-30

Minneapolis Millers

AHA

47

8

2

10

105

1930-31

Minneapolis Millers

AHA

33

0

1

1

46

1931-32

Providence Reds

Can-Am

1932-33

Providence Reds

Can-Am

1

0

0

0

0

NHL Totals

244

33

21

54

478

19

1

1

2

39

Rights retained by Montreal after NHA folded, November 26, 1917. Loaned to Hamilton by Montreal for 1920-21 season with the trade of Goldie Prodgers, Jack Coughlin and Joe Matte for Jack McDonald, Dave Ritchie and Harry Mummery, November 27, 1920. Returned to Montreal by Hamilton, November 15, 1921. 1923-24 Stanley Cup totals includes series with Calgary (WCHL) and Vancouver (PCHA). Traded to Boston by Montreal for Amby Moran, October 22, 1926. Suspended for life by NHL for assault on referee Jerry LaFlamme, April 13, 1927. Traded to New Haven (Can-Am) by Boston with Nobby Clark for cash, January 5, 1928.